Tag Archives: Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene Ajo AZ 85321

How to Pick a Dental Hygienist College near Ajo Arizona

Selecting the right dental hygienist college near Ajo AZ is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must assess and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than choosing the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your home. There are other important factors to take into account also, such as the college’s reputation and accreditation. Your first step is to decide which of the two specializations you are most interested in getting training for, which may depend on the amount of money and time that you have to commit. The most common dental assistant program usually takes about 1 year to finish for a certificate or diploma. However, dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, which can take anywhere from two to three years to complete. Obviously with the lengthier training of a dental hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you should be asking the programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of both dental hygienists and assistants and the training options available.

The Role of a Dental Hygienist

When contrasting the duties of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is probably that the dental hygienist works more independently. As previously discussed, the dental assistant works with and assists the practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the Ajo AZ practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains

Applying fluoride treatments

Applying sealants and polishing teeth

Educating patients about oral hygiene

Taking X-rays and developing film

Applying fillings and removing sutures

In order to be licensed in almost all states, dental hygienists must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam as well as any state licensure examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

The Duties of Dental Assistants

Dental assistants are an essential component of any Ajo AZ dental practice and can perform a variety of tasks. Their primary job description is to furnish support to the dentists and the administrative staff. Or simply put, to help keep the practice working successfully. A number of dental assistants elect to specialize and acquire certification in a particular area, such as periodontics. However the majority of assistants carry out any job that they are asked to fulfill, for example:

Setting and verifying appointments

Readying patients for teeth treatments and cleanings

Preparing and sterilizing instruments for dentists

Clearing patients’ mouths with suction equipment

Handing instruments to dentists during procedures

Preparing X-ray machines and handling X-rays

Purchasing dental and office supplies

Certification and licensing requirements for dental assistants deviate by state, so consult with the Arizona dental board for your state’s policies. Assistants handling X-ray machines more than likely will have to be certified and licensed. Many dental assistants who are either required or decide to become certified take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Dental Hygienist & Assistant Training Options

Dental assistant courses are provided at Ajo AZ area junior colleges as well as trade or vocational schools. The most common credential acquired is the certificate, which ordinarily takes about one year to finish. There are fewer Associate Degree programs available, and they furnish a more extensive education, incorporating general subjects in addition to the dental assisting courses. As a result of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in dental practices are generally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in almost every state. They are also offered in Ajo AZ area community colleges and technical schools. Regardless of whether you are pursuing training as a dental hygienist or assistant, there will be a clinical aspect to the training as well. Many programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Schools

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school may be a great option for receiving your education. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Ajo AZ home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to school, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Many may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can usually be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this style of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools

When you have picked the dental specialty and kind of credential you would like to earn, you can start the process of comparing Arizona programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they look for several online options also. Although these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the Ajo AZ area colleges you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. To qualify to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Employers in Ajo AZ frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited Arizona programs.

Is The Proper Dental Program Offered? You can elect to train to become a dental assistant or a dental hygienist, just make sure that the Arizona school you decide on offers the program that’s right for you. For the assistant program, the options are to earn either a certificate or an Associate Degree. If you want to work as a hygienist, a large number of Ajo AZ dental practices require an Associate Degree in dental hygiene. More advanced degrees, although not prevalent, are offered. However, bear in mind that just because a college has a good reputation as well as accreditation does not mean each one of its programs do as well. For example, an accredited school may have a strong accredited dental assistant program, but might have a weaker or non-accredited hygienist program. So if you are just interested in a dental hygiene degree, naturally it would not be the best college for you.

Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important component of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Most dental programs have associations with local dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the Ajo AZ school you select offers clinical rotation in a regional dental office that specializes in dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective means to get hands-on, practical experience in a real Ajo AZ dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish professional relationships in the local dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygiene colleges need assistance obtaining their first job. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Ajo AZ dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the Arizona schools you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, don’t forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in Ajo AZ.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental school, you need to verify that the hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near your Ajo AZ home at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.

Why Did You Want to Become a Dental Hygienist?

When preparing to interview for a Dental Hygiene job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Dental Hygienist applicants is "What made you choose Hygiene as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming a Dental Hygienist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Hygiene, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Dental Hygienist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near Ajo AZ

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you want to take the CDA examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous options offered to acquire your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools generally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training or credential you decide to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Ajo AZ.

A Bit About Ajo Arizona

Ajo, Arizona

Ajo (/ˈɑːhoʊ/ AH-hoh; O'odham: Moik Wahia or O'odham: ʼOʼoho) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pima County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,304 at the 2010 census. Ajo is located on State Route 85 just 43 miles (69 km) from the Mexican border. It is the closest community to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

Ajo is the Spanish word for garlic (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈaxo]). The Spanish may have named the place using the familiar word in place of the similar-sounding O'odham word for paint (oʼoho). The Tohono O'odham people obtained red paint pigments from the area.

Native Americans, Spaniards, and Americans have all extracted mineral wealth from Ajo's abundant ore deposits. In the early nineteenth century, there was a Spanish mine nicknamed "Old Bat Hole" that was abandoned due to Indian raids. Tom Childs, Sr., found the deserted mine complete with a 60-foot (18 m) shaft, mesquite ladders, and rawhide buckets in 1847. He did not stay long at that time, because he was on his way to the silver mines near Magdalena de Kino, Sonora.

Thirty-five years later, Childs and his son returned with a friend and started developing the abandoned mine.